The late William H. McKeon's children and grandchildren knew he had touched many lives, but perhaps the magnitude of his influence did not become clear until his calling hours Monday. An estimated 4,000 people came by to pay their respects, and they all seemed to have a personal story.
”I lost count of the number of people who said to me at calling hours ... that Dad had gotten them their first job, that Dad had helped their mother or family in time of need or had helped them with a legal problem,“ said Auburn City Judge Michael McKeon, one of William's sons, during the funeral service Tuesday.
Friends and family packed Holy Family Church to say good-bye to the man they called ”Mr. Democrat.“ McKeon, the longtime Cayuga County Democratic Party leader who also chaired the state party for a time and became a close advisor to brothers John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, died Friday at the age of 85.
At Tuesday's service, each of the speakers told the story of a man whose rise to power was motivated by the desire to make his city, state and country a better place for everyone.
”He knew what it was to be poor, and he was determined to use political power to help people - to provide good jobs, a living wage, a decent home, health care and education,“ said Brian P. McKeon, William's youngest son.
A big reason for his success was his astonishing memory, which enabled him to know countless people.
”He seemed to know everyone in the city of Auburn, or tried to,“ Brian said. ”His knowledge of the city's neighborhoods, and its people, was encyclopedic.“
That memory also extended to the more mundane things in his life.
”My father is the only person I know who remembers where he bought all of his clothes, the price he paid, the store purchased from and the year of the purchase,“ Michael said.
The speakers offered plenty of humorous stories. Those at the Mass learned about the McKeon children's playroom having a donkey inscribed in the floor tiling.
They heard stories of William's legendary driving skills - including the time he took Bobby Kennedy on a death-defying ride from Skaneateles to Auburn.
Those packed into the church also learned that William's brusque demeanor was nothing personal. People may remember having a telephone conversation with him that ended with a click of the line rather than William saying ”good-bye“ or ”see you later,“ but Michael said that was just his way.
”Every phone conversation I had with my father ended this way,“ he said.
William's grandchildren offered some of the most personal remembrances.
Margaret-Kelly McKeon, reading from a reflection she wrote with her siblings, Brian M. and Kathryn McKeon, talked about her grandfather's strength of character.
”It never failed, whether it was a 7-iron gone awry or a questionable life decision, Grandpa Bill was always a voice of reason,“ she said.
She closed her remarks by speaking directly to her grandfather.
”Thank you from every fiber in our hearts for the time you dedicated to us, your eagerness to learn about us, and the inspirational stories you have told us,“ she said.
”These are priceless moments that will never fade away.“
Friends and family packed Holy Family Church to say good-bye to the man they called ”Mr. Democrat.“ McKeon, the longtime Cayuga County Democratic Party leader who also chaired the state party for a time and became a close advisor to brothers John F. and Robert F. Kennedy, died Friday at the age of 85.
At Tuesday's service, each of the speakers told the story of a man whose rise to power was motivated by the desire to make his city, state and country a better place for everyone.
”He knew what it was to be poor, and he was determined to use political power to help people - to provide good jobs, a living wage, a decent home, health care and education,“ said Brian P. McKeon, William's youngest son.
A big reason for his success was his astonishing memory, which enabled him to know countless people.
”He seemed to know everyone in the city of Auburn, or tried to,“ Brian said. ”His knowledge of the city's neighborhoods, and its people, was encyclopedic.“
That memory also extended to the more mundane things in his life.
”My father is the only person I know who remembers where he bought all of his clothes, the price he paid, the store purchased from and the year of the purchase,“ Michael said.
The speakers offered plenty of humorous stories. Those at the Mass learned about the McKeon children's playroom having a donkey inscribed in the floor tiling.
They heard stories of William's legendary driving skills - including the time he took Bobby Kennedy on a death-defying ride from Skaneateles to Auburn.
Those packed into the church also learned that William's brusque demeanor was nothing personal. People may remember having a telephone conversation with him that ended with a click of the line rather than William saying ”good-bye“ or ”see you later,“ but Michael said that was just his way.
”Every phone conversation I had with my father ended this way,“ he said.
William's grandchildren offered some of the most personal remembrances.
Margaret-Kelly McKeon, reading from a reflection she wrote with her siblings, Brian M. and Kathryn McKeon, talked about her grandfather's strength of character.
”It never failed, whether it was a 7-iron gone awry or a questionable life decision, Grandpa Bill was always a voice of reason,“ she said.
She closed her remarks by speaking directly to her grandfather.
”Thank you from every fiber in our hearts for the time you dedicated to us, your eagerness to learn about us, and the inspirational stories you have told us,“ she said.
”These are priceless moments that will never fade away.“
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